St Anne’s College celebrates reopening of Bevington Road houses with the Chancellor of the University of Oxford, The Rt Hon Lord Hague of Richmond CVO
St Anne’s College, Oxford, has celebrated the official reopening of its historic Bevington Road houses following a major £14.6 million regeneration project — its most ambitious capital project to date.
The occasion was marked by a special event on Friday 17 April, attended by donors, alumnae, students, Fellows and project partners, and led by the Chancellor of the University of Oxford, Lord Hague, who formally reopened the buildings.
The day provided an opportunity not only to showcase the transformed houses — affectionately known as “the Bevs” — but also to thank the many individuals and organisations whose generosity and commitment made the project possible.
Originally built between 1867 and 1869, the ten Victorian houses have been part of St Anne’s since the 1950s and have been home to generations of students. The recent works have carefully preserved their character while significantly improving the quality, sustainability and accessibility of the accommodation.
The regeneration has increased the number of student rooms from 70 to 82, including 42 en-suite rooms, while ensuring that the houses remain welcoming, domestic spaces that foster community.
Working within the constraints of the North Oxford Conservation Area, the project focused on creative retrofit rather than redevelopment — retaining the historic fabric while adapting the buildings for modern student life.
Designed by award-winning architects Assemble, the project demonstrates what can be achieved through thoughtful and innovative refurbishment of historic buildings.
The works have reduced operational energy demand by around 80% and significantly lowered reliance on fossil fuels, forming part of the College’s wider decarbonisation plans.
Holly Briggs, founding partner of Assemble, said:
“It has been a privilege to work closely with St Anne’s College…to create a ‘home from home’ for the college community for generations to come.”
Mathew Leung, also a founding partner, added:
“The project demonstrates both a careful and creative approach to deep retrofit…especially relevant given the age of the UK’s residential building stock.”
The reopening event began with a reception for major donors and concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Lord Hague and Principal Helen King in the newly renamed Mary Pickersgill Draper Quad — bathed in spring sunshine.
Guests then toured the houses, experiencing first-hand the balance between historic character and contemporary design.
Earlier in the day, a celebratory lunch in Hall — featuring a specially curated, historically inspired menu by Head Chef Ben Gibbons — brought together the College community. The meal, drawing on the history of Bevington Road and its residents, formed the backdrop to a series of speeches reflecting on the significance of the project.
Speakers included Principal Helen King, alumna and donor Irene Dorner, Professor Sneha Malde, and current students, highlighting the continuity of experience across generations.
A short film shown during the event captures the voices of students Cosmo De Bono and Nimisha Bica reflecting on life in the Bevington Road houses — both before and after their transformation.
In his address, Lord Hague reflected on the importance of preserving Oxford’s historic environment while adapting it for the future, and praised the College’s ambition and achievement in delivering the project. Referencing the singular history of St Anne’s College as a place to enable women to access higher education – as well as its forthcoming milestone 150th anniversary – Lord Hague said:
“The Bevington Road reopening is part of a confident and strong future for St Anne’s in which we all have a shared responsibility. I look forward as your Chancellor to playing my part in that future for this College.”
The reopening of the Bevington Road houses marks a major milestone for St Anne’s as it continues to develop its estate to better support its students and academic mission.
As the College approaches its 150th anniversary in 2029, the project stands as a powerful symbol of its commitment to honouring its past while investing in its future — ensuring that St Anne’s remains a place of opportunity, community and intellectual vitality for generations to come.
Notes to editors
- The Bevington Road houses were originally built between 1867–69 and acquired by St Anne’s College between 1953–63.
- The £14.6 million regeneration project was completed on time for the start of the 2025/26 academic year.
- The project team included architects Assemble, contractor Benfield & Loxley, and a wide range of specialist consultants.